The Atlanta Braves will turn to Tim Hudson in today's rubber game against the New York Mets. Each team has grabbed a win in this three game series, with Mets winning yesterday's match as the under dogs.
The New York Mets evened their
weekend home set against the Atlanta Braves with Saturday’s 5-0 win as 106 home
dogs. Mets slugger Jose Reyes cracked a three-run triple in the seventh
inning, while relievers Pedro Beato and Tim Brydak allowed no hits in the final
two frames.
Today’s finale has two
right-handed starters slated to square off, with Atlanta’s Tim Hudson (4-4,
3.75 ERA) opposing New York’s R.A. Dickey (2-6, 4.39 ERA). MLB odds opened Hudson as a 140 road favorite, while first setting the ‘total’ at seven.
Hudson logged a no-decision in
Monday’s 3-2 extra-inning defeat for Atlanta as a 166 home favorite against the
San Diego Padres. The 13-year veteran allowed one earned run in six
frames (93 pitches), while notching seven strikeouts.
Braves catcher Brian McCann poked
two doubles en route to a 3-for-5 night, bringing in mate Martin Prado for both
of his squad’s runs. Prado finished 1-for-5, with a double being the
outfielder’s sole hit.
The tight battle’s combined five
runs dipped below the ‘total’ of seven. Braves reliever George Sherrill
picked up the loss, giving up a 10th-inning solo-shot homer to San
Diego’s Kyle Phillips.
Atlanta is 15-14 in its first 29
road games, with the ‘under’ going 14-12-3. Hudson is 2-2 in his four
road outings, with a 1.22 WHIP and .324 OBP.
Dickey suffered his third loss in
five starts with Tuesday’s 5-1 setback for New York against the Pittsburgh
Pirates. The 36-year-old gave up three runs in 7 2/3 innings (108
pitches), while logging 10 strikeouts.
Mets outfielder Angel Pagan hit his
second double of the year en route to a 2-for-4 night. Pagan’s mate Jason
Bay went 1-for-4, giving his squad an early 1-0 lead with its sole RBI.
The contest’s combined six runs
ducked ‘under’ the ‘total’ of 7 ½. New York was edged out in hits, 7-6,
while a late error from shortstop Ruben Tejada led to two insurance runs for
Pittsburgh.
The Mets are 14-17 in their first 31
home dates, with the ‘over’ going 18-11-2. Dickey is 0-5 in his six home
starts, with a sizable 1.50 WHIP and .358 OBP.
Today's Matchup
Sunday’s first pitch is scheduled
for 8:05 p.m. (ET), with the weather forecast at Citi Field calling for a
67-degree night and calm winds. Umpire Fieldin Culbreth is listed for his
13th outing behind home plate, with MLB bets cashing with the ‘over’ 7-5 times in his
prior 12 called games.
I am backing the
Braves and Hudson, looking for the road ‘chalk’ to cash. Early betting
action on New York has lowered the premium to minus 125 at most MLB betting outlets, which improves value
from the opening lines.
Atlanta went 3-1 in Hudson’s four
starts against the Mets last season. The three-time All-Star allowed just
six runs in that span’s combined 27 innings.
Dickey’s three outings against New
York last year did not go as well, going 0-2 along with one no-decision.
The Tennessee native was shelled for 24 hits over a combined 18 2/3 IP.
The Braves also have the edge in
relief pitching, with their bullpen allowing .209 hitting and ranked the second
stingiest in the National League (2.54 ERA). New York’s relievers have
allowed a more sizable 4.24 ERA and .256 BA.
Atlanta
has also shown it can bounce back from recent defeats, going 4-1 in its last
five games that followed a loss. The Braves should also fare better
facing Dickey, cashing at 5-2 in their last seven outings against a starter
with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
My Pick: I'm backing the Braves